Who created this message and why are they sending it?
What techniques are being used to attract my attention?
What lifestyles, values and points of view are represented in the message—including any stereotypes that may be present.
How might different people understand this message differently from me?
What is omitted from this message?
Seven Media Myths:
The world is a dangerous place and we need guns, police and military to protect us.
Leave it to the experts (usually white men).
The "good life" consists of buying possessions that cost lots of money.
Happiness, satisfaction and sex appeal, just to name a few are imminent--and available with the next consumer purchase.
Your body is not good enough.
Businesses and corporations are always concerned for the public welfare.
All media is evil and corrupt.
Instead of aiming to tell the truth to the American people—so that responsible democratic decisions can be made—the big media are in business to sell audiences to advertisers and are far more concerned with pleasing their shareholders than with letting anything be said that may disrupt that process. (Walch 2003)
Syllabus
TV, Movies, Magazines and Advertisements, Music, Print (Newspapers, books, op/ed), Radio (News), Internet, Visual Culture
Persuasive Media,
Five basic questions:
Seven Media Myths:
Instead of aiming to tell the truth to the American people—so that responsible democratic decisions can be made—the big media are in business to sell audiences to advertisers and are far more concerned with pleasing their shareholders than with letting anything be said that may disrupt that process. (Walch 2003)